Impact Assessment for New Labelling Provisions to Protect Vulnerable Consumers from Risks Associated with Consumption of Raw Drinking Milk (RDM) and Cream

Last updated:

21 July 2017

In July 2015, the Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) Board concluded in its recommendations review on raw drinking milk. One for the recommendations was that risk communication, particularly to vulnerable groups, should be improved and this should include revisions to labelling requirements in England and Northern Ireland to mirror that already used in Wales.

24 March 201421 March 201429 May 2014

About this consultation

Who will this consultation be of most interest to?
Raw Drinking Milk (RDM) and Cream producers in England and Northern Ireland, RDM consumers, enforcement authorities and those with an interest in RDM.

What is the subject of this consultation?
In July 2015, the Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) Board concluded in its recommendations review on raw drinking milk. One for the recommendations was that risk communication, particularly to vulnerable groups, should be improved and this should include revisions to labelling requirements in England and Northern Ireland to mirror that already used in Wales. The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 and the Food Hygiene Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (as amended) would need to be amended to enable the new labelling provisions to protect vulnerable consumers against the risks associated with the consumption of RDM and extend labelling provisions to all species.

Key Proposal
Currently RDM (except buffalo) would need to be labelled with the warning; “This milk has not been heat-treated and may therefore contain organisms harmful to health.” It is proposed that in England and Northern Ireland enhanced labelling is introduced to RDM from all species: ‘the FSA strongly advises that it should not be consumed by children, pregnant women, older people and those who are unwell or have chronic illness’

What is the purpose of this consultation?
To provide interested parties with the opportunity to comment and express their opinions on the proposed labelling provisions to protect vulnerable consumers and the associated Impact Assessment.

Publication of response summary

Within three months of a consultation ending we aim to publish a summary of responses received and provide a link to it from this page.

In accordance with the FSA principle of openness we shall keep a copy of the completed consultation and responses, to be made available to the public on request. The summary of responses may include personal data, such as your full name. Disclosure of any other personal data would be made only upon request for the full consultation responses. If you do not want this information to be released, please complete and return the Publication of Personal Data Form. Return of this form does not mean that we will treat your response to the consultation as confidential, just your personal data.

Summary of responses

Further information

This consultation has been prepared in accordance with HM Government Consultation Principles. If an Impact Assessment has been produced, this is included in the consultation documents. If no Impact Assessment has been provided, the reason will be given in the consultation document.